John Cleland (1709 – 1789) was an English novelist, best known for his novel Fanny Hill: or, the Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, published in 1748. The novel, a fictional autobiography of a young woman's sexual adventures, was considered scandalous at the time of its publication and was quickly banned. However, it has since become a classic of erotic literature and has been translated into many languages.
Early Life and Education
Cleland was born in Arundel, Sussex, England, in 1709. His father, John Cleland, was a clergyman. Cleland was educated at Westminster School and St John's College, Cambridge.
Literary Career
After leaving Cambridge, Cleland worked as a clerk for the East India Company. In 1748, he published Fanny Hill, which was an immediate success and a bestseller. The novel was praised for its explicit descriptions of sex, but it was also condemned for its immorality. It was quickly banned in England and many other countries.
Cleland continued to write after the publication of Fanny Hill, but none of his other works were as successful. He died in London in 1789.
Themes and Style
Fanny Hill is a novel about the sexual awakening of a young woman. It is a frank and unflinching account of her experiences, which include prostitution, adultery, and lesbianism. The novel is also a satire of the hypocrisy of society at the time.
Cleland's writing is characterized by its vivid imagery and its use of euphemisms for sexual acts. He also uses a variety of literary devices, such as irony, suspense, and humor, to keep the reader engaged.
Legacy
Fanny Hill is a controversial novel, but it is also a significant work of literature. It is a pioneering work of erotic literature, and it has been influential on a number of other writers, including Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin.
Key Works
- Fanny Hill: or, the Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (1748)
- The Memoirs of a Coxcomb (1751)
- Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure: in Correct and Improved Version (1750)
- The Woman of Honor (1749)
- The Surprise (1749)
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